Sunday, October 9, 2011

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Argentina v New Zealand, Quarter Final 4

09.10.2011Argentina v New Zealand in Auckland (World Cup, Quarter Final 4)Venue: Eden ParkReferee: Nigel Owens (Wales)Preview
On paper this would be the easiest match of the quarter finals to predict. A comfortable win to the All Blacks. Or is it?
So far the form books have been re written in this World Cup at the quarter final stage. Wales upset Ireland, France upset England. I’m predicting Australia to upset South Africa. Do I think Argentina can upset the All Blacks? No.
Argentina will have a noisy and very passionate supporting contingent from Argentina in the crowd for this game. I was in Palmerston North to see Argentina defeat Georgia last weekend. Of all the supporters I came across in New Zealand none were louder than the Argentineans. The crowd may well be All Blacked out at Eden park but the constant noise will come from Argentineans.
Don’t get me wrong. I was at the France-All Black game and when push came to shove the All Black supporters could rouse themselves to a good outburst when needed (ie when scoring points, tries or when pressed on defence). I think we will be hearing plenty from the Kiwis in the crowd.
Which means New Zealand will be scoring more points than Argentina. Simple as that. I just can’t see Argentina applying the kind of pressure that say South Africa would. The Pumas just don’t have an armoury that will worry the All Blacks.
Argentina are due to enter the Tri Nations Southern Hemisphere championship. They have many older players who will retire after this World Cup. Count on them to try to go out with a bang.Last Five Encounters
24.06.2006 New Zealand 24-19 in Buenos Aires
26.06.2004 New Zealand 41-7 in Hamilton
01.12.2001 New Zealand 24-20 in Buenos Aires
23.06.2001 New Zealand 67-19 in Christchurch
28.06.1997 New Zealand 62-10 in HamiltonNew Zealand This World Cup (Pool A)
09.09.2011 v Tonga W 41-10 in Auckland
16.09.2011 v Japan W 83-7 in Hamilton
24.09.2011 v France W 37-17 in Auckland
02.10.2011 v Canada W 79-15 in WellingtonArgentina This World Cup (Pool B)
10.09.2011 v England L 9-13 in Dunedin
17.09.2011 v Romania W 43-8 in Invercargill
25.09.2011 v Scotland W 13-12 in Wellington
02.10.2011 v Georgia W 25-6 in Palmerston NorthGWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 5th, Argentina 6thIRB Ranking Points New Zealand 90.62, Argentina 80.28Prediction: New Zealand by 18 pointsTeamsNew Zealand 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sonny Bill Williams, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, Capt. 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Bradley Thorn, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements
16 Andrew Hore, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Alistair Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 James Cowan, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Head Coach: Graham HenryArgentina 15 Martín Rodríguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Felipe Contepomi, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Santiago Fernández, 9 Nicolás Vergallo, 8 Leonardo Senatore,
7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements
16 Agustín Creevy, 17 Martín Scelzo, 18 Marcos Ayerza, 19 Alejandro Campos, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, 22 Juan Jose Imhoff.
Head Coach: Santiaho Phelan